Doha named “GCC Tourism Capital” in 2026 | News
The committee responsible for the GCC Tourism Capital has officially announced Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026, as part of strengthening joint tourism cooperation among GCC member states. This decision has been approved by Their Excellencies, the Ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The selection follows a comprehensive strategic bid from Qatar Tourism, which outlined the State of Qatar’s long-term vision for tourism and showcased Doha’s strengths as a destination that balances cultural authenticity, urban innovation, sustainability and quality of life. The offer is closely aligned with national priorities aimed at economic diversification and positions tourism as a key driver for sustainable growth.
Commenting on the announcement, His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “The selection of Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 marks an important milestone that underlines the success of our leadership’s strategic vision in establishing tourism as a central pillar of Qatar’s National Development Strategy and National Vision 2030. This recognition reflects the qualitative progress made in building an integrated and sustainable tourism ecosystem that is competitive at both regional and global levels, supported by world-class infrastructure, strong connectivity and an exceptional visitor experience.”
He added: “Looking ahead to 2026, this title provides a strategic platform to further strengthen tourism cooperation in the Gulf, stimulate investment, create new economic opportunities and deliver a lasting legacy that strengthens Doha’s position as a leading regional tourism hub; especially in the areas of corporate events, major festivals, large-scale activations and family-friendly destinations.”
The choice of Doha was supported by a series of strategic pillars, including its advanced transport and mobility infrastructure. This includes Hamad International Airport, internationally recognized for operational excellence; Qatar Airways’ global network connects Doha to more than 170 destinations worldwide; and integrated metro and tram systems designed to enable seamless visitor movement throughout the city.
Qatar has also enhanced its tourism offering through a flexible visa policy through the Hayya platform, in addition to ensuring a competitive and investor-friendly business environment, strong regional and international partnerships and global promotional campaigns that have raised the country’s profile on the international tourism map.
The bid also outlined Doha’s ability to provide a diverse tourism experience, supported by advanced infrastructure for hosting events and conferences, as well as a calendar of cultural, sporting and entertainment events.
These strengths are complemented by the state’s strong commitment to sustainability, heritage conservation, ecotourism development and growing leadership in medical and wellness tourism.
Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar will announce further details regarding the “GCC Tourism Capital” program in Doha in the coming period. This includes joint Gulf initiatives, promotional campaigns and a year-round program of community, cultural and entertainment events, designed to deliver a sustainable economic and tourism impact and further strengthen Doha’s position within the regional and global tourism landscape.
